Presses



y 9, 1967 s. M. ROBERTSON ETAL -3,318,234

PRESSES Filed July 14, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 y 9, 1967 vca. M. ROBERTSON ETAL 3,318,234

PRESSES 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 14, 1965 Fig.2.

G. M. ROBERTSON ETAL 3,318,234

May 9, 1967 PRESSES 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 14, 1965 y 9, 1957 G. M. ROBERTSON ETAL 3,318,234

PRESSES 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 14, 1965 May 9, 1967 G. M. ROBERTSON ETAL 3,318,234

PRESSES Filed July 14, 1965 a Sheets-Sheet 5 M y 7 G. M. ROBERTSON ETAL 3,318,234

PRESSES Filed July 14, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 54 Fig. 6.

/ Q, X/ J18 M y 1967 G. M. ROBERTSON ETAL 3,318,234

PRESSES Filed July 14, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 C}13{D 19/ I92 3162 May 9, 1967 G. M. ROBERTSON ETAL 3,318,234

PRESSES Filed July 14, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 United States Patent 3,318,234 PRESSES George M. Robertson and George K. Charles, both of Cow and Gate House, North St., Guildford, England Filed July 14, 1965, Ser. No. 471,870 14 Claims. (Cl. 100232) This invention relates to presses and more particularly to a press of the kind for compressing a body of cuboidal or rectangular parallelepiped form, which body is required to be secured by banding tapes in the compressed condition thereof.

A press of the kind set forth may be used, for example, for applying pressure to individual rigid panels positioned against each of the faces of a rectangular natural cheese block to be matured by the method claimed in British Patent No. 937,441.

According to the invention there is provided a press of the kind set forth, comprising three sets of opposed pressure applicators through which pressure can be applied to each of the faces of the body to be compressed, individual fluid pressure operated means for each set of applicators and operable to move at least one applicator of the set towards an opposing applicator to apply pressure to opposed faces of the body, and control means arranged to so regulate operation of the individual fluid pressure means that pressure is applied to each pair of opposed faces of the body in succession in a predetermined sequence.

The improved press is particularly suitable for compressing a rectangular block of cheese between six rigid panels arranged so that, in the compressed condition, a first pair of opposing panels are a close fit between the second and third pairs of opposing panels and the second pair of opposing panels are a close sliding -fit between the third pair of opposing panels. For example, the top and bottom panels may be a close sliding fit between the side and end panels and the side panels may be a close fit between the end panels and abut against the ends of the top and bottom panel. The control means of the improved press are then preferably adjusted so that pressure is initially applied to the end panels to compress the block and bring the end panels into contact with the ends of the side, top and bottom panels, pressure is then applied to the side panels to compress the block and bring the side panels into contact with the side edges of the top and bottom panels, and pressure is subsequently applied to the top and bottom panels to compress the block which is confined between the side and end panels.

Since the compressed body is to be secured by banding tapes in the compressed condition, it is to be understood that the pressure applicators of the press must co-operate with the faces of the body to provide passages for passing the tape around the body when compressed in the press. The press may be provided with a plurality of spaced applicators arranged to engage each face of the body, the tape being passed between adjacent applicators or the applicators may be provided with grooves for passing the tape between the applicator and the body. Alternatively the faces of the body may be provided with battens which are engaged by the applicators, and the tape passed between the battens.

' In the improved press, each of the fluid pressure operated means may comprise a piston and cylinder unit, and the control means arranged to regulate supply of fluid to each of the cylinders so that the sets of applicators apply pressure to the opposed faces of the body in said predetermined sequence. The cylinders can conveniently be connected in a common fluid circuit and the control means arranged to restrict supply of fluid to each of the cylinders at a rate such that the sets of applicators apply 3,318,234 Patented May 9, 1967 pressure to the opposed faces of the body in said predetermined sequence. Preferably the capacity of the cylinder of the applicators for applying pressure to the first pair of opposed faces of the body in said sequence is smaller than the capacity of the cylinder of the applicators for applying pressure to the second pair of opposed faces of the body, and the capacity of the cylinder of the applicators for applying pressure to the second pair of op posed faces of the body in said sequence is smaller than the capacity of the cylinder of the applicators for applying pressure to the third pair of opposed faces of the body.

A cheese press according to the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the press and a cheese block which has been compressed between rigid panels in the press and secured by metal banding tapes in the compressed condition;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional plan view of the press along lines IIII in FIGURE 4; I

FIGURE 3 is a sectional side elevation view of the press along lines IIIIII in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional end elevation view of the press along the lines IV--IV in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid circuit of the press;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of a control valve in the circuit of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of a flow restrictor device in the circuit of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a part-sectional plan view of two control valves of a modified fluid circuit of the press;

FIGURES 9-13 show different setting positions of the operating levers of the valves of FIGURE 8; and

FIGURE 14 is a diagrammatic view of a modified fluid circuit for the press.

Referring to FIGURES 2 to 4, the press has a base structure comprising a rectangular base plate 10, two vertical end plates 11 secured along the ends of the base plate, and two vertical side plates 12 secured along the sides of the base plate, the end and side plates 11, 12 projecting above the base plate. A main cylinder 13 is mounted centrally on the :base plate, and a double-acting piston in the cylinder has a piston rod 14 provided at its upper end with a pressure applicator 15 which supports a body to be compressed. The top of cylinder 13 is provided with two horizontal guide plates 16, 17 spaced apart by spacer tubes 18, and the applicator plate 15 is provided with two guide rods 19 on opposite sides of the piston rod 14, the piston rod and guide rods being slidable in apertures in the guide plates 16, 17. The applicator plate 15 is movable under the action of the main cylinder 13 between a lower position shown in broken lines in FIG- URES 3 and 4 and an upper position shown in FIGURE 1.

The top surface of the applicator plate 15 is provided with longitudinal and transverse grooves 20 through which banding tapes can be passed between the applicator plate and the bottom face of a body on the applicator plate.

Three upwardly extending end levers are arranged at spaced intervals along each of the two opposite ends of the press, the lower ends of the three levers 25 being Welded to a tube 26 Which is rotatably mounted on a horizontal transverse shaft 27 at the adjacent end of the base plate. The ends of the shaft 27 are secured in apertures in brackets 28 on the end plates 11 of the base structure. Each lever 25 is provided on an upper part thereof with a pressure applicator 29 adapted to engage an end face of a body on the applicator plate 15, each applicator 29 being mounted on a pivot pin 30 on the lever, so that the applicator can be pivoted relative to the lever by a few degrees about a horizontal axis. The six levers 25 at opposite ends of the press are arranged in pairs of opposed levers, with posed levers facing each other. side levers 50 are provided with inwardly projecting lugs 56 and further pressure applicators 57 are mounted on' the pressure applicators on opposed levers facing each other.

A cylinder 35 for operating the end levers is pivotally mounted at its lower end in a cradle 36 on the base plate for angular movement about an axis parallel to the pivot shafts 27 for the end levers 25. A double-acting piston in the cylinder has a piston rod 37 pivotally connected to a crank disc 38 secured on a tube 39 arranged parallel to the pivot axis of cylinder 35, the crank disc 38 being disposed between a pair of opposing end levers 25 at one side of the press. The tube 39 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 40 supported at its ends on the upper ends of two arms 41, the lower ends of which are pivotally mounted to the side plates 12 of the base structure for angular movement about an axis co-incident with the pivot axis of cylinder-35.1, The crank disc 38 is provided with a pairiof crank arms 45, one end of each arm being pivotally connected to the crank disc and the other end of each crank arm being pivotally connected to the centre portion of an adjacent end lever 25. A further crank disc 46 is secured on the tube 39 between the opposing pair of end levers 25 at the other side of the press, the crank disc 46 havinga pair of crank arms 47,0ne end of each arm 47 being pivotally connected to the crank disc 46 and the otherend of each arm 47 being pivotally connected to the central portion of an adjacent end lever 25.

' The crank discs 38, 46 and crank arms 45, 47 are arranged as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 so that extension of the piston in the cylinder'35, i.e., upward movement of the piston, causesthe end levers 25 to pivot inwardly to bring ,their applicators 29 into pressure engagement with the end faces of a body on the applicator plate 15, when-in its lower. position, and retraction of the piston in the cylinder 35 causes the end levers 25 to pivot outwardly 'andmove their applicators 29. out of engagement with the 7 end faces of the body.

It will be noted that, since the tube wand shaft 40 are pivotally mounted about the pivot axis of cylinder 35,'the tube 39 floats between the end levers 25 so that the end levers at opposite ends of the press are angularly movable in unison with'one another. Thus, if the body is not positioned, centrally on the applicator, plate 15, the tube 39 is free to move towards one or other end of the press vto enable the applicators 29 to apply equal pressures-to theopposite ends of the body. The same result can however be obtained if the arms 41 supporting the shaft 40 and tube 39 are pivotally mounted about an axis spaced 7 from but parallel to the pivot axis of cylinder 35.

Moreover the applicators 29 are free to move angularly about the pivot pins 30, so that the inner surface of each' applicator engages flat against an end face of the body when the applicator is moved into contact with the body.

Three upwardly extending side levers 50 are arranged at spaced intervals along each of the two opposite sides of the press, the lower ends of the three levers 50 at each side being welded to a tube 51 which is rotatably mounted on a horizontal longitudinal shaft 52 at the adjacent side of the base plate. The ends of each of; the two shafts 52.are secured in apertures in brackets 53, on the side plates 12 of the base structure. Each lever 50 is provided on an upper part thereof with a pressure applicator 54 adapted to engage a side face of a body on the applicator plate 15, each applicator 54 being mounted on a pivot pin 55 on the lever so that the applicator can be pivoted relative to the lever by a few degrees about a horizontal axis.

The six levers 50 at opposite sides of the press are arranged in pairs of opposed levers with the applicators 54 on op- The upper ends of the otally mounted at its lower end on a cradle on the base plate for angular movement about an axis parallel to the pivot shafts 52 for the side levers. A double-acting piston in cylinder 64 has a piston rod 66 pivotally connected to a crank disc 67 secured on a tube 68 arranged parallel to the pivot axis of cylinder 64, the crankvdisc 67 being disposed between a pair of opposing side levers at one end of the press. The tube 68 is rotatably mounted on a shaft 69 supported at its ends on the upper ends of two arms 70, the lower ends of which are pivotally connected to the end plates 11 of the base structure for pivotal movement about an axis coincident with the pivot axis of cylinder 64. The crank disc 67 is provided with a pair of crank arms 71, one end of each arm 71 being pivotally connected to the crank disc and the other end of each arm 71 being pivotally connected to the centre portion of an adjacent side, lever 50. A further crank disc 72 is secured on the tube 68 between the opposing pair of side levers 50 at the other end of the press, the crank disc 72 having a pair of crank arms 73, one end of each arm 73 being pivotally connected to the crank disc 72 and the other end of each arm 73 being pivotally connected to an adjacent side lever 50.

The crank discs 67, 72 and crank arms 71, 73 are arranged so that extension of the piston in cylinder 64 causes the'side levers 50 to pivotinwardly to bring the applicators 54' into pressure engagement with side faces of a body on the applicator plate 15, when in its lower position, and to bring the applicators 57 into positions overlying the top face of the body, and retractionof the piston in cylinder 64 causes the side levers 50 to pivot outwardly and move their applicators 54 out of engagement with the side faces of the body and move the applicators 57 to positions mounted to the levers 50, the applicators 54 on opposite sides of the press engage flat against the body with equal pressure, as is the case with the applicators 29 explained above.

The lower portion of the press is encased in shields 74 mounted on the base structure, the end and side levers 25, 50-being movable in slots 75 (FIGURE 1) in an inwardly projecting flange on the top of each shield.

The fluid circuit of the press, as shown in FIGURE 5, comprises a control valve controlling supply of air under pressure to opposite ends of the three cylinders 13, 35,, 64, a control valve 81 connected in the fluid lines between the valve 80 and main cylinder 13, and flow restrictor devices 82 connected in the fluid lines leading to the lower ends of the three cylinders.

The control valve 80 (shown in sectionin FIGURE 6) comprises a housing 83 having an inlet port 84, two service ports 85, 86 and two exhaust ports 87, 88, and a spool 89 provided with four spaced lands 90, 91, 92, 93. The spool is axially movable in the housing 83 between a first setting position in which the inlet port 84 connects with the service port 85 and the service port 86 connects with the exhaust port 88, and a second setting position (shown in FIGURE 6) in which the inlet port 84 con- 7 .nects with the service port 86 and theservice port 85 connects with the exhaust port 87. The flow path of fluid through the valve is shown in FIGURE 5 in: full lines with the spool in its first settingposition and in dotted lines with the spool in its second setting position.

to the two cylinders 95, 96. The cylinders are of equal diameter so that, when the outer ends of the cylinders are sealed, the spool is hydraulically balanced. Release of pressure from one or other of the cylinders 95, 96 causes the pressure of air in the opposite cylinder to urge the spool, in the direction of the exhaustedcylinder.

The control valve 81 is sirnilar in construction to the valve 80, and has a housing 104, an inlet port 105, two service ports 106, 107 and two exhaust ports 108, 109. A spool in the housing 104 is axially movable between a first setting position in which the inlet port 105 connects with the service port 106 and the service port 107 connects with the exhaust port 109, and a second setting position in which the inlet port 105 connects with the service port 107 and the service port 106 connects with the exhaust port 108. The flow path of fluid through the valve is shown in FIGURE 5 in full lines when the spool is in its first setting position and in dotted lines when the spool is in its second setting position.

Lands at the ends of the valve 81 form pistons slidable in cylinders fed with air under pressure from the inlet port 105, as in the arrangement of valve 80, so that the spool is hydraulically balanced.

Each of the flow restrictor devices 82 comprises a valve block 115 having a duct 116 opening through an inlet port 117 at one end of the block, a duct 118 parallel to the duct 116 and opening through an outlet port 119 at the opposite end of the block, and two valve ports 120, 121 in the wall of the block separating the two ducts 116, 118. A needle valve 122 in the duct 118 has a frusto-conical head which projects into the port 120, and

a poppet valve 124 in the duct 116 has a head urged by a spring 126 on to a seat formed on the wall of the duct 116 surrounding port 121. The stem 127 of the needle valve is screwed in an aperture in the valve block and secured in position by a nut 128. The poppet valve has a stem which is axially slidable in a valve holder 130 screwed in an aperture in the valve block, the spring 126 for the poppet valve reacting between the holder 130 and the head of the poppet valve.

The needle valve 122 provides a restriction to flow of air through the port 120 from the duct 116 to the duct 118, the cross sectional area of the annular space between the frusto-conical head of the needle valve and the periphery of port 120 being adjustable by screwing the valve stem 127 in or out of the block to regulate the rate of fiow of air through port 120.

The poppet valve 124 acts as a one way valve which is held closed when the pressure of air in duct 116 exceeds that of the air in duct 118, but opens to permit free exhaust of air from duct 118 to duct 116 when the pressure of air in duct 118 exceeds the pressure in duct 116 by an amount sufficient to overcome the strength of spring 126.

In the circuit of FIGURE 5, the inlet port 84 of control valve 80 is connected to a source of air under pressure, the two exhaust ports 87, 88 are open to atmosphere, the service port 85 is connected through a branched line 134 to the upper ends of cylinders 35, 64 and to the inlet port 105 of control valve 81. The service port 86 of valve 80 is connected through a branched line 135 to the inlet ports 117 of two of the flow restrictor devices 82, the two outlet ports 119 of which are connected to the lower ends of the two cylinders 35, 64 respectively, and the service port 86 is also connected by line 135 to the port 109 of valve 81. The service port 106 of valve 81 is connected by line 136 to the upper end of cylinder 13, the service port 107 is connected through line 137 to the inlet port 117 of the third flow restrictor device 82, the outlet port 119 of which is connected to the lower end of cylinder 13, and the exhaust port 108 is open to atmosphere.

In the valves 80, 81 as arranged in FIGURE 5, the spools are displaced towards the upper end of the valve housings when in their first setting position and are displaced towards the lower end of the valve housings when in their second setting position. The two cylinders in the upper ends of valves 80, 81 are connected by a branched line 140 to a pilot valve 141, operation of which exhausts air from the upper cylinders of valves 80, 81. The branch of line 140 leading from the upper cylinder of valve 81 is provided with a one-way valve 142 preventing into its second setting position.

6 flow of air from the upper cylinder of valve to the upper cylinder of valve 81.

The lower cylinder in valve 80 is connected to a line 143 leading to the line 137 between the service port 107 of valve 81 and the lower end of cylinder 13, and the line 143 is provided with two pilot valves 144, 145 arranged in series and operable to exhaust air from the lower cylinder of valve 80 to the service port 107 of valve 81. The

line 143 also includes a one way valve 146 preventing air and branched line 134 to the upper ends of the cylinders 35, 64, and also through branched line 134 to the inlet port of valve 81 and then through service port 106 and line 136 to the upper end of cylinder 13. The pistons of the three cylinders 13, 35, 65 are thus forced downwards into their retracted positions so that end levers 25 and the side levers 50 are in their outer positions and the applicator plate 15 in its lower position.

The pilot valve 148 is first actuated to exhaust air from the lower cylinder of valve 81, so that air pressure in the top cylinder of valve 81 moves the spool downwards The air supplied to the inlet port 105 is then directed through service port 107 to the lower end of the cylinder 13 and forces the piston and applicator plate 15 to the upper position, as shown in FIGURE 1. Air from the upper end of cylinder 13 exhausts through service port 106 and exhaust port 108.

A bottom panel is then placed on the applicator plate 15 and the block of cheese placed on the bottom panel. The pilot valve 141 is then actuated to exhaust air from the top cylinder of valve 81, so that air pressure in the bottom cylinder moves the spool upwards into its first setting position. Air is also exhausted by pilot valve 141 from the top cylinder of valve 80, but this does not result in any displacement of the spool of this valve, which is already in its first position. Air supplied to the inlet port 105 of valve 81 then flows through service port 106 and line 136 to the upper end of cylinder 13, causing retraction of the piston in the cylinder and lowering of the applicator plate 15 together with the bottom panel and the block of cheese. Air from the lower end of cylinder 13 exhausts through ports 107, 109 of valve 81, line and ports 86, 88 of valve 80.

When the applicator plate 15 is in its lower position, panels are placed against each of the side and end faces of the block, with the lower edges of these panels resting on the applicator plate 15, and a further panel is placed on the top of the cheese block. Spring blades 150 (only one of which is shown in FIGURE 1) are provided on the top flanges of .the shields 74 to hold the side and end panels in positions against the block of cheese. The spring blades are arranged in an upright position with the upper end of each blade inclined outwardly to clear the edges of the applicator plate 15 when the plate is lowered from its upper position. v

The panels are arranged so that the top and bottom panels are disposed between the side and end panels, and the side panels are disposed between the end panels, and the panels are of a size such that the end panels abut against the side panels and against the top and bottom panels when the cheese block is compressed.

The two pilot valves 144 and are then actuated simultaneously, and since the first and second control valves 80, 81 are in their first positions, air from the lower cylinder of valve 80 is exhausted through lines 143, 137, ports 107, 109 of valve 81, line 135 and ports 86, 88 of valve 80. The pressure of air in the upper cylinder of valve 80 then moves its spool into the second setting position in which air supplied to the inlet port 84 flows through the service port 86, line 135, and the associated flow restrictor device 82to the lower ends of cylinders 35, 64 and also through line 135, ports 109, 107 of valve 81, line 137 and the associated flow restrictor device 82 to the lower end of the cylinder 13.

The pistons in the cylinders 35, 64, 13 are thus forced upwards, to pivot the end levers 25 and the side levers 50 inwards towards the cheese block and to raise the applicator plate 15. Air displaced from the upper ends of cylinders 35, 64 exhausts through line 134 and ports 85, 87; of valve 80, and air from the upper end of cylinder 13 exhausts through line 136, ports 106, 105 of valve 81, line 134 and ports 85, 87 of valve 80.-

The lower ends of cylinders 35, 64, 13 are thus simultaneously connected to the inlet port 84 immediately the spool of valve 80 is moved into its second setting position. The rates of flow of air into each cylinder is however regulated by adjustment of the needle valves of the flow restrictor devices 82 so that the piston of cylinder 35 moves the applicators 29 on end levers 25 into engagement with the end panels on the cheese block before the piston of cylinder 64 moves the applicators 54 on the side levers 50 into engagement with the side panels, and the applicators 57 into positions overlying the. top panel, and the piston of cylinder 13 moves the applicator plate at a speed suchthat the top panel on the block does not engage the applicators 57 until after theapplicators 29, 54 are in pressure engagement with vtheend and side panels.

In this way, the end panels are forced towards each other andcompress the cheese block until the end panels 1 abut against the ends of the side, top and bottom panels, 1 before pressure is applied to side panels or the top and bottom panels. The side panels are then forced towards each other and compress the cheese block confined between the end panels until the side panels engage the side edges of the top and bottom panels, before pressure is applied to the top and bottom panels. The topand bottom panels are then moved towards each other to compress the cheese block confined between the side and end panels.

The pilot valves 144, 145, operation of which initiates the movement of the applicators to applypressure to the block, are spaced apart so that the operator must use both hands and'cannot have one hand in a dangerous position during the pressing operation.

The cylinder 35 for operating the end levers 25 may,

7 if desired, be of smaller diameter than the cylinder 64 for operating the side levers 50, and the cylinder 64 may be of smaller diameter than the cylinder 13 for operating the applicator. plate 15 '(as shown in FIGURE 14), to increase the time interval.between'engagernent ofrthe applicators 29. with the end panels and the applicators 54 with the side panels, and the time intervalbetween engagement of the applicators 54 with the sidepanels and the applicators 57 with the top panel upon upward movement of the applicator plate and cheese block.

While the block is in the compressed condition, the

panels aresecured in position by metal tapes which are passed through the longitudinal and transverse grooves 20in the applicator plate 15 and between adjacent applicators engaging the side, end and top panels.

After the block encased in the panels has been bound with tapes, the pilot valve 141 is actuated to move the spool of the control valve 80 into its first setting position and direct fluid to the cylinders to move the applicators on the end and side levers out of pressure engagement with the block.

The needle valves in the flow restrictor devices 82 regulating the rate of supply of air to the cylinders, 35, 64,

13 may be replaced by spring loaded valves operable to open when subjected to a specific differential pressure, the

spring loading on the valves being adjusted so that the valve in the supply line to the lower end of cylinder 35 opens at a low differential pressure, the valve in the supply line to the lower end of cylinder 64 opens at an intermediate differential pressure, and the valve in the supply line to the lower end of cylinder 13 opens at a high differential pressure.

In this modified arrangement, air under pressure is supplied to the inlet port -84 of valve at a restricted rate. During the compressing operation, air in line builds up to a value sufiicient to open the spring loaded valve for cylinder 35. The pressure in the line '135 then remains at this value until the applicators 29 on the end levers 25 are brought into pressure engagement with the end panels and compress the cheese block. When the end panels abut against the side, top and bottom panels and prevent further movement of the end levers, the pressure in line 135 and cylinder 35 builds up to a value sufficient to open the spring loaded valve for cylinder 64. The pressure in line 135 then remain at this higher value until the side panels abut against the top and bottom panels and prevent further inward movement of the side levers. The pressure in line 135 and cylinders 25 and 64 then builds up to a value sufiicient to open the valve for cylinder 13.

The panels may be arranged so that the end panels are disposed between the side panels, and the top and bottom panels disposed bet-ween the side and end panels. The flow restrictor devices '82 are then however adjusted so that pressure is applied to the side panels to compress the cheese and bring the side panels into engagement with the side edges of the end, top and bottom panels before pressure is applied to the end panels.

The cylinders 35, 64 for the end and side levers of the press may be connected in a fluid circuit having a single control valve, and the cylinder 13 for the applicator plate connected in a separate fluid circuit having a single control valve, provided that the fluid circuit for the cylinders 35, 64 includes flow restrictor devices adjusted so that the cylinder 35 applies the applicators to the ends of the body to be compressed before the cylinder 64 applies the applicators 54 to the sides of the body, and the two con- .trol valves are interlocked to prevent operation of the control valve for the cylinder 13 when the control valve for the cylinders 35, 64 is in a position to direct fluid to the cylinders to effect outward movement of the applicators 29 and 54 away from the ends and sides of the body.

FIGURE 8 shows two control valves 160, 161 having operating handles'162, 163 respectively which are angularly movable to move the valve spools between two setting positions and a locking mechanism for interlocking the valves for the purpose set out above, and FIGURES 9-13 illustrate the operation of the locking mechanism.

As shown in FIGURE 8, the control valve 161 has a housing provided with an inlet port 164 connected to a source of air under pressure, a service port 165 connected to the upper end of the cylinder 13, a service port 166 connected to the lower end of cylinder 13 through a flow restrictor device similar to the device shown in FIGURE 6, and two exhaust ports 167, 168. A spool 169 is axially movable in the housing between a first setting position communicating the inlet port 164 with the service port 165 and the service port 166 with the exhaust port 168, and a second setting position communicating the inlet port 164 with the service port 166 and the service port 165 with the exhaust port 167. The operating handle 163 for valve 161 is mounted on a circular hub disc 170 which is secured on a shaft 171 rotatably mounted in an aperture in an end cap 172 on the housing, the shaft having a screw-threaded end 173 engaged in a screw-threaded recess 174 in an end of the spool 169. The screw on the shaft 171 is provided with a large pitch and arranged so that angular movement of the handle 163 from the right hand position shown in FIGURE 9 to the left hand position shown in FIGURE 10 effects axial movement of the spool from the first setting position to the second setting position. The end of the spool remote from the handle is keyed to the housing to prevent angular movement of the spool Within the housing.

The valve 160 is identical in construction to the valve 161 and has a housing provided with an inlet port 180 connected to a source of air under pressure, a service port 181 which is connected to the upper ends of the two cylinders 35, 64, a service port 182 connected to the lower ends of the cylinders 35, 64 through flow restrictor devices similar to the device shown in FIGURE 7, and two exhaust ports 183, 184. The spOOl (not shown) in valve 160 is movable in response to angular movement of the handle 162 between a first setting posit-ion communicating the inlet port 180 with the service port 181 and the service port 182 with the exhaust port 184, and a second setting position communicating the inlet port 180 with the service port 182 and the service port 181 with the exhaust port 183. The handle 162 is mounted on a circular hub disc 185 secured on a shaft having a screwed connection with the spool of the valve, as in the arrangement of valve 161. Angular movement of the handle 162 from the right hand position shown in FIGURE 9 to the left hand position shown in FIGURE 13 effects axial movement of the spool of valve 160 from the first setting position to the second setting position.

The valves 160, 161 are arranged side by side in a frame 190, only part of which is shown in FIGURE 8, and a locking plate 191 is disposed between the two hub discs 170, 185. The locking plate 191 is slidably mounted in guides in the frame 190 for movement in directions normal to the axes of the two valves 160, 161, and the locking plate has a length slightly longer than the distance between the eripheries of the two hub discs 170, 185. The periphery of hub disc 185 is provided with two flats 192, 193, the flat 192 facing the adjacent edge of the looking plate 191 when handle 162 is in the right hand position and the flat 193 facing the adjacent edge of the plate 191 :when the handle is in the left hand position. The periphery of hub disc 170 is provided with a flat 194 facing the adjacent edge of the plate 191 'when the handle is in the right hand position.

The relative positions of the handles 162, 163 of the two valves and the locking plate 191 during an operative cycle of the press are illustrated in FIGURES 9 to 13.

In FIGURE 9, the handles are in their right hand positions so that the valve spools are in their first setting positions directing fluid to the upper ends of the cylinders 13,

.35, 64. The end and side levers 25, 50 are then in their outer positions and the applicator plate in its lower position. The flats 192, 194 in hub discs 185, 170 face the adjacent ends of the looking plate so that the plate is freely slidable between the hub discs.

Upon movement of the handle 163 into its left hand position to raise the applicator plate 15 to its upper position, the periphery of hub disc 170 acts as a cam which forces the locking plate 191 towards the right hand against the flat 192 on hub disc 185. The handle 162 is thus locked by the locking plate in its right hand position.

After the body to be compressed has been placed on the applicator plate 15, the handle 163 is returned to its right hand position as shown in FIGURE 11 to lower the applicator plate. The locking plate 191 prevents movement of the handle 162 until the handle 163 has been moved fully into its right hand position.

The handle 162 is then moved into its left hand position as shown in FIGURE 12 to move the end and side levers 25, 50 inwards to apply pressure to the vertical faces of the body; the flat 193 on hub disc 185 is then facing towards the adjacent edge of the locking plate 131. The handle 163 is subsequently moved into its left-hand position as shown in FIGURE 13 to apply pressure to the bottom and top surfaces of the body, and during this movement of the handle 163 the periphery of hub disc 170 acts as a cam which forces the locking plate 191 19 towards the right into engagement with the flat 193 on hub disc 185. The handle 162 is then locked in its left hand position.

After the com-pressed body has been secured by banding tapes, the handle 163 is returned to its right hand position to release the pressure on the top and bottom surfaces of the body. This movement of the handle 163 brings the flat 194- into the position alongside the adjacent edge of the locking plate, so that handle 162 is then free to be returned to the right hand position and release the pressure on the side and end faces of the body.

The locking plate thus co-operates with the flats on the hub discs to prevent the side and end levers of the press being forced inwards when the applicator plate is in its fully raised position and also prevents the side and end levers being moved outwards out of pressure engagement with a body while pressure is being applied by the applicator plate to the bottom face of the body.

When the valves 160, 161 are in their second setting positions to direct fluid through flow restrictor devices 82 to the lower ends of the cylinders 13, 35, 64, the needle valves in the flow restrictor devices are adjusted so that fluid flows more freely to the cylinder 35 than to the cylinder 64, and more freely to the cylinder 64 than to the cylinder 13, so that the applicators 29 apply pressure to the end faces of the body before the applicators 54 apply pressure to the side faces of the body, and the applicators 54 apply pressure to the side faces of the body before the applicator plate 15 and the applicators 57 apply pressure to the bottom and top surfaces of the body.

We claim:

1. A press for compressing a body of cuboidal or rectangular parallelepiped form, comprising three sets of opposed pressure applicators through which pressure can be applied to each of the faces of said body to be compressed; individual piston and cylinder units operatively coupled to respective ones of each of said sets of applicators and operable to move at least one applicator of a selected set towards an opposing applicator of said selected set to apply pressure to opposed faces of said body; individual fluid supply lines to each of said piston and cylinder units; valve means operatively connecting said supply lines to a common source of fluid under pressure; and flow restricting means in said supply lines restricting the supply of said fluid to said cylinder units at rates such that said piston and cylinder units apply pressure to each pair of opposed faces of said body in succession in a predetermined sequence.

2. A press as claimed in claim 1 wherein the capacity of the cylinder of the applicators for applying pressure to the first pair of opposed faces of the body in said sequence is smaller than the capacity of the cylinder of the applicators for applying pressure to the second pair of opposed faces of the body, and the capacity of the cylinder of the applicators for applying pressure to the second pair of opposed faces of the body in said sequence is smaller than the capacity of the cylinder of the applicators for applying pressure to the third pair of opposed faces of the body.

3. A press as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flow restricting means comprise adjustable needle valves in the supply lines to the cylinders, each needle valve being adjustable to regulate the rate of supply of fluid to the associated cylinder.

4. A press as claimed in claim 3, wherein each supply line is provided with a one-way valve connected in parallel with the needle valve and permitting free exhaust of fluid from the cylinder.

5. A press as claimed in claim 1, wherein the applicators of two of said sets are movable by their associated piston and cylinder units into and out of engagement with vertical side faces of the body, one of the applicators of the third set is movable vertically by the piston and cylinder unit and adapted to apply pressure to the bottom face of the body, and the opposing applicators of'the third set are movable with the applicators of at least one of said two sets into positions overlying the top face of the body, the flow restricting means being arranged so that pressure is applied to the side faces of the body by said two sets of applicators prior to the .application of pressure to the bottom and top faces of the body by the third set of applicators.

6, A press as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cylinders of the three, sets of applicators are connected in a fluid circuit including a first valve having a valve member movable between a first setting position directing fluid to the cylinders to retract the pistons thereof and move the applicators out of pressure. engagement with the body and a second setting position directing fluid to the cylinders to extend the pistons thereof and move the applicators into pressure engagement with the body, and a second valve connected in the fluid lines between the first valve and the cylinder of the third set of applicators, the second valve having a valve member movable between a first setting position directing fluid to the cylinder of the third set for retraction and extension in unison with the'cylinders of the said two sets of applicators and a second setting position directing fluid received from the first valve, when its valve member is in the first setting position, to

' the cylinder of the third set for extension of the cylinder of the third set of applicators, and means operable to prevent movement of the first valve member into its second setting position when the second valve member is in its secondtset'ting position.

7. A press as claimed in claim 6, wherein each valve comprises a spool axially movable in a housing between said first and second setting, positions, theends of the spool constituting pistons of equaldiameter in cylinders at the ends of the housing, means for supplying fluid at equal pressure to the cylinders at opposite ends of the housing, and means for exhausting fluid selectively from either of the housing cylinders to effect axial movement of the spool between its first and second setting positions under the influence of the pressure fluid in the opposing housing cylinder, the exhaust lines for the cylinders operative to urge the spools towards the second setting positions being connected to a common exhaust valve and the exhaust line for the cylinder operative to urge the spool of the first valve towards its first setting positionopening into the fluid line for supplying fluid to the cylinder of the third set of applicators to effect extension of the piston thereof.

8. A press as claimed in claim 5, wherein said piston and cylinder units are connected in a fluid circuit including a first valve controlling operation of the piston and cylinder units for said two sets of applicators and a second valve controlling operation of the piston and cylinder unit for said third set of applicators, and locking means are operable to prevent actuation of the first valve when the second valve is in a position directing fluid to the piston and cylinder unit of the third set of applicators so asto apply an upwardly directed force to the bottom applicator. v

9. A press as claimed in claim 8, wherein said valves are disposed side by side and each valve comprises a valve member movable between a first setting position directing fluid to the associated cylinder or cylinders to retract the piston thereof and move the applicators out of pressure engagement with the body and a second setting position directing fluid to the associated cylinder or cylinders to extend the piston thereof and move the applicators into pressure engagement withthe body, each valve member being movable between the first and second setting positions in response to angular movement of an operating member, and said locking means comprises a plate slidable in guides between the two operating members and movable in response to movement of the valve member of the second valve into its second setting position into locking engagement with the operating member of the first valve when in either of its first or second setting positions.

10. A press as claimedin claim 5, including a base plate vertically movable in a frame of the press, side levers pivotally mounted on the frame about parallel axes on opposite sides of the base plate, and end levers pivotally mounted on the frame about parallel axes at opposite ends of the base plate, said two sets of applicators being fitted on the side and end levers, the base plate constituting one of said third set of applicators adapted to apply pressure to the bottom face of the body, and opposing applicators of said third set'being fitted on at least some of said levers and movable with the levers into positions overlying the top surface of the body, and the said piston and cylinder units being operable to move the base plate and the side and end levers to bring the applicators into pressure engagement with the face of the body.

119A press as claimed in claim 10, wherein the top surface of the base plate is provided with longitudinal and transverse grooves for the'passage of banding straps between the base plate and a body on the base plate, and the applicators on the side and end levers are arranged ,to permit the banding straps to be passed around the body when the applicators are in pressure engagement with the body.

12. A press as claimed in claim 10, wherein the side levers and the end levers are coupled to their respective piston and cylinder units by linkage mechanism arranged to effect angular movement of the opposing levers in opposite directions in response to operation of the associated piston and cylinder unit and to permit angular movemerit of the levers in unison, whereby the levers on opposite sides or opposite ends of the base plate exert equal pressure on the body.

13. A press as claimed in claim 12, wherein each linkage mechanism comprises a floating shaft disposed between the levers at opposite sides or ends of the base plate, crank linkage coupling the associated levers to the floating shaft and operable to effect angular movement of the opposing levers in opposite directions in response to angular movement of the floating shaft about its axis, and further crank linkage coupling the shaft to the piston of the associated piston and cylinder unit and operable to effect angular movement of the floating shaft in response to longitudinal movement of the piston.

14. A press as claimed in claim 13, wherein each piston and cylinder unit for the side and end levers is angularly movable about an axis parallel to the pivot axes of the associated levers, and a floating shaft is rotatably mounted on at least one journal angularly movable about the pivot axis of the associated piston and cylinder unit.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS I 2,015,455 9/1935 Meer 232 X 2,072,694 3/ 1937 Walters 100-232 2,880,668 4/1959 Cranke 100-232 FOREIGN PATENTS 952,190 3/1964 Great Britain.

BILLY I. WILHITE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PRESS FOR COMPRESSING A BODY OF CUBOIDAL OR RECTANGULAR PARALLELEPIPED FORM, COMPRISING THREE SETS OF OPPOSED PRESSURE APPLICATORS THROUGH WHICH PRESSURE CAN BE APPLIED TO EACH OF THE FACES OF SAID BODY TO BE COMPRESSED; INDIVIDUAL PISTON AND CYLINDER UNITS OPERATIVELY COUPLED TO RESPECTIVE ONES OF EACH OF SAID SETS OF APPLICATORS AND OPERABLE TO MOVE AT LEAST ONE APPLICATOR OF A SELECTED SET TOWARDS AN OPPOSING APPLICATOR OF SAID SELECTED SET TO APPLY PRESSURE TO OPPOSED FACES OF SAID BODY; INDIVIDUAL FLUID SUPPLY LINES TO EACH OF SAID PISTON AND CYLINDER UNITS; VALVE MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING SAID SUPPLY LINES TO A COMMON SOURCE OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE; AND FLOW RESTRICTING MEANS IN SAID SUPPLY LINES RESTRICTING THE SUPPLY OF SAID FLUID TO SAID CYLINDER UNITS AT RATES SUCH THAT SAID PISTON AND CYLINDER UNITS APPLY PRESSURE TO EACH PAIR OF OPPOSED FACES OF SAID BODY IN SUCCESSION IN A PREDETERMINED SEQUENCE. 